As I rested my eyes this afternoon & tried to forget the events of the day, my mind drifted off and somehow I began to think about the phenomenon of nicknames. I began to think of some of the nicknames I have had over the years. I realized there is a lot to talk about when it comes to nicknames. Let me start with some of mine over the years.
My 1st nickname was given to me by my Mexican-American cousins in California. They called me “Casper” because as a new born baby I had a very fair complexion and a no hair.
There was “Speedy Gonzalez” given to me by my 8th grade gym teacher as I struggled to finish the 600yard walk/ run. He proceeded to yell it across the football field!!! Go Speedy!
Both of these are examples of character traits or behaviors that influenced a nickname. These are sometimes complimentary, funny, unwanted, or down right insulting! But as my dad would say “Hey it builds character”
Our youth pastor called me KO-one, my sister Kendra was KO-two (two-two-two) some how Kendra always got an echo with hers, and my sister Kelly was KO-three. What is with initials for a nickname? …this type of nickname seems to be the most consistent type throughout my life.
In college a friend of mine called me Little O… I was short, and my maiden name was long, hard to say, and started with an O.
Now some of my colleagues call me lil’kk or kk… kind of a morphed married nickname.
Do we include initials in a nickname when no other characteristics stand out?
Some nicknames become permanent names. Charles to Chucky to Chuck. People from our past who knew my husband as a child still refer to him as Chucky. My childhood friend Joe (his adult name)…will always be Joey to me…and I told him so…I will never call him Joe! Please! He does not even look like a Joe.
Some nicknames people do not even know they have!! These are usually the names that refer to a prominent characteristic of an individual or the behavior exhibited during a series of events. I was wondering if this really even qualifies as a nickname. Maybe it is more like a code name, or let’s face it an insult… I think all apply.
The workplace seems to create such an atmosphere for these types of names to develop. I had one boss we called “Mama” cause when it came down to it …If mama needed to get after you; she would! But …she would take care of you and love on you, too! I also worked for a pair of bosses we called Eagle 1 & Eagle 2 that soon changed to the Bob-cee twins, and finally to twiddle-dee & twiddle-dumb.
Spouses also seem to uses nicknames or labels for people they encounter at church, the pool, or in the neighborhood. Now rest assured that theses are not close friend, but acquaintances. I am speaking of the spouse who can never remember anyone’s name and must rely or their partner for help. The partner is then required to remember two names for each person/ acquaintance. Now these are usually very private and you would never want anyone to know “their name”, for example, “Oh do you mean redneck, loud mouth, Amazon, or Mr. ADHD?”
This brings me to my next question? Do you have a nickname? What is your nickname that others would give you behind you back? I can think of a few that might fit me lately! YIKES!
I could actually write more about this subject. Like my 5th grade class in an inner city school…almost every one of my students had a nickname…yet another circumstance where I was required to know two names for one individual. I have not even gotten into the names we give our lovers’ or the nicknames we give our lover’s parts. NOT EVEN GOING THERE!!! I could also talk about my favorite nickname; the one we gave our daughter when she was little. We used to call her “peep”. It derived from our love of peeps candy & a reference to ghetto slang.
Overall, I have to admit I like having a nickname (The positive ones.) I think it is because I never really liked my name as a child. In some ways it makes you feel special and noticed. It highlights something unique about you personality or being. Sometimes it makes you face who you really are or creates the drive to change aspects of your behavior. Who knew nicknames were so powerful?
